CITY councillors are being urged to join the fight to keep Porton’s HPA jobs.
Cllr Paul Sample is calling for an urgent debate to endorse the motion: This council believes that the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPR) should remain based in South Wiltshire.
The Liberal Democrat praised Conservative MP John Glen’s campaign to stop the “ill-conceived” move to Harlow in Essex, which is expected to cost £400million.
Mr Sample described the relocation as “hugely wasteful at a time of austerity”.
He supports the MP’s idea of allowing the scientists to take over the centre from the HPA and run it as a co-operative.
He said councillors should write to the government stressing the CEPR’s role in providing jobs, both directly and indirectly, for the area, and the effect its removal would have on the local economy. “It would uproot good scientists and their families from their homes in the city and South Wiltshire,” he said.
His motion also highlights the income the CEPR generates from foreign governments and its role as a world leader in the production of drugs and vaccines, which could be disrupted by the upheaval.
The debate is likely to be on the agenda for the next full council meeting on July 19.
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